Purple Star Award

Month of the Military Child 2023 – Taking Care of Our Military Children. 

The Defense Department is observing April as Month of the Military Child and will highlight programs, resources and services available to support the overall well-being of military children, youth and teens.

“Proclaiming April as the Month of the Military Child pays tribute to military children across our state for their commitment and sacrifice as they support the military service member in their family,” Governor Parson said. “When parents serve our country, their kids serve too.”

To show their support for military service members and their children, businesses across the state are asked to hang purple ribbons at their entrances or in their windows. The color purple represents all branches of the military; it is the combination of each of their respective colors combined into one.  All Missourians are encouraged to wear purple on April 15 as part of “Purple Up Day” to show support for military children. 

Schools play an important role in the lives of military children, as they are often a source of stability for these students; the average military child will move six to nine times during their school career.

“The physical, social and emotional well-being of military children is essential not only to that student’s success in the classroom, but also the success of their family who have dedicated their lives to serving our country,” Commissioner Vandeven said.

BGR-1 was recently honored as one of the first school districts in Missouri to be awarded the Purple Star Award, which was presented in Jefferson City on April 5th, last week, in the Capitol Rotunda.  BGR-1 has students in our schools whose parents serve on active duty, National Guard and reserve status in the U.S. Military.